Greater Manchester council with no overall control set for knife-edge local election vote

One of Greater Manchester's trendiest boroughs is set for a knife-edge local election vote this week. Stockport stretches from the rural borders of Derbyshire and the Peak District to the built-up suburbs of Reddish and Brinnington.

This diverse mix of towns and villages has left the council under no overall control for years, with Labour and the Lib Dems both looking to claim victory in the local elections on May 2.

The Lib Dems will be hoping to add to their 29 councillors to reach a majority in the 63-seat council chamber, with the 24 councillors from the Labour group aiming for the same result.

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On Thursday, 21 council seats are up for grabs in an election which could have huge implications for the future of the borough.

Ahead of the crucial vote, the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked each of the main parties for their pledges to Stockport voters.

Conservatives

The Conservatives don't have any councillors in the town hall right now, but the group is looking to change that on Thursday.

They've pledged to hold Labour and the Lib Dems to account on issues such as council tax increases and bin collections, as well as calling for stronger protection of Stockport's green spaces, and improving council services for residents.

A group spokesperson said: “Local people across Stockport borough are sick of being taken for granted by the Liberal Democrats and Labour at the town hall.

"In the last 12 months, they have increased council tax by £111 for an average band D household, scrapped weekly green bin collections and approved plans to introduce parking charges at our free car parks.

"They have also failed to implement a